Are you ready for a change? Have you been looking for an opportunity for uncapped earning potential while making your own hours? If you have a mind for problem solving and a sincere desire to help people, then the commercial mortgage industry may be for you.

The commercial mortgage industry is quickly becoming one of the hottest industries in the United States. The surge of Small Cap mortgages coupled with the need for knowledgeable mortgage brokers makes this the best time to take advantage of this opportunity. All it takes is a desire to learn and grow and the right partner on your side.

As with any industry there are obstacles you must overcome to be successful. For the commercial mortgage industry, these barriers include (but are not limited to):

The first step to getting your foot into this hot industry is the proper training. As you are looking for training, it is important that you find the most in depth and comprehensive training possible. While most direct lenders will provide free training, the training is almost always directed toward the loan products offered by that lender. This type of training, while valuable, will not provide you the breadth of knowledge you will need to be successful in this highly competitive industry. Look to the established industry organizations like the Mortgage Bankers Association or the National Association of Mortgage Brokers for better training opportunities. Another option is to look for a company that serves the interests of commercial brokers as a whole. These companies should provide the best training options and may also include other services that will make your transition a bit easier.

The role of the commercial mortgage broker is to provide financing solutions for commercial property owners. Often brokers are called upon for seemingly difficult financing scenarios. The key to finding a solution is locating the right lender with the right loan product. In the past, this meant a lot of research. There are hundreds of sources for commercial loans representing thousands and thousands of financing options. The best route for someone new to the industry is to locate a database of lenders that will allow you to input the loan information and allow the system to narrow your search to a handful of potential lenders. This technology is somewhat new to the commercial industry so be careful that the database allows you to search programs from multiple lenders, not just one or two. Keep in mind that these lenders want your business, you are their client. They should be willing to do the work required to match a loan program to your needs.

So now you have the training and the lender options in place, now comes the most important piece, the clients. You will spend the majority of your time looking for borrowers that need your assistance in helping them find the right financing. The key to building a client base is education. You must educate your potential clients in the commercial industry and above all why they should work with you. Marketing to potential clients is both time consuming and can be costly. Finding the best way to market yourself will require a bit of research and testing.

As you build your business you will find that most of your clients will come from referrals. These referrals can come from friends, family, or your network of existing contacts. Be sure to let everyone you know that you are now a commercial mortgage broker and what services you provide. You may be surprised to find that your existing contacts may be your best source for business.

What about commercial mortgage “leads”? Many companies offer leads that you can buy. Just be careful about buying leads. Some can be great, but some can be a great waste of money. Leads are often offered to multiple brokers at the same time and you will find yourself competing with several (or many) other brokers for the business. The key term you want to keep an eye out for is “exclusive referrals” not leads. This means that you are the one and only broker receiving that referral and in this industry, a referral is gold. Exclusive referrals are of course not free. Often they are part of a membership to a brokerage service which includes additional services as well. Be aware that these golden opportunities may mean a commission split with the provider that may take up to half of your income. The best advice is to go into any lead or referral situation with your eyes open.

The final aspect you need to keep in mind as you venture into the commercial mortgage industry is your geographical reach. I don’t have to tell you that if you limit yourself to working deals solely in your local area, your earning potential will be equally as limited. Though it will take time, or just the right partner, your best bet is to serve as large a geographic area as possible. This flexibility will enable you to increase your potential client base and your potential income. Once you determine your target regions you will need to obtain the necessary licenses and qualifications to do business in those states. A few states require a special license to broker commercial mortgage loans. However, most states only require a basic qualification to do business. You should always consult your attorney to make sure you are taking the necessary steps to operate your business within the constructs of the law. It is a reasonable expense given the peace of mind you will have in knowing that you are conducting your business in accordance with the law.

Finding the right partner or mentor is a great way to start your career in the commercial mortgage industry. We all know it is much easier to get into something new when you have a friend that already does it. How many people decide, on their own, that skydiving is a good idea? It takes a friend that knows about it to get you involved. To show you the ropes and get you off the ground. This puts you more at ease with trying something new. Knowing someone who has “been there done that”. In the commercial mortgage industry, a little research and networking, will allow you to find the right partner to help get you started in this exploding industry.

In summary, the commercial mortgage industry provides a wealth of opportunity for those willing to put in a little hard work. While there are many companies out there that are willing to help and do provide a valuable service, there are equally as many, if not more, that are of no value to you at all. Do the research and go in with your head up and your eyes open and you may find wonderful opportunities within the commercial mortgage industry. Good luck!

If you’re looking to hold a business meeting or conference with international visitors or people from throughout New Zealand, you may be wondering where to find the right venue. Ideally you will be looking for a place that is accessible, meets your catering, size, and budget requirements, and suits the style of the occasion.

These days, many people are choosing a Nelson business meeting venue for its flexibility, quiet location, and range of function venue options. Nelson is situated at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, which is a great central location for both North and South Island delegates, and is easy to get to for international travellers.

Let’s take a better look at five reasons why the sunshine capital of New Zealand, Nelson, will make an ideal business meeting venue for you.

1. A range of venue sizes for a small meeting or a large function.

Whether you are looking to hold an intimate meeting with just a few important people, or a large seminar or conference for a wider audience, Nelson has a range of business function venues to suit you. Known for its hotels, historical buildings such as Broadgreen Historic House which was originally constructed in 1855, and award winning restaurants like Hopgoods and Boutereys, you can choose a venue to suit your style, budget, and size requirements.

2. Quiet, tranquil locations.

If you are holding a seminar, function or business meeting, you’ll know how important it is to have your audience or colleagues relaxed and focused. Having a comfortable Nelson business meeting venue in a tranquil rural setting means you are away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and you will have everyone’s full attention. If you prefer you could choose to spend time in one of the three national parks in the region – Kahurangi, Nelson Lakes and Abel Tasman.

3. Easily accessible.

If you have people coming to your meeting from all over New Zealand, Nelson is an easily accessible location for everyone. Avoiding the busier airports, your colleagues, guests or audience can simply fly in to Nelson airport from almost anywhere in New Zealand, and travel just a short distance to a nearby conference venue.

4. A choice of modern or historical venues to inspire any occasion.

Nelson is known for its history, but also for its artistic community. Many of the buildings feature beautiful, modern furnishings for a lavish affair, or select a more classic, historical building for serious business meetings.

5. Close to parking, restaurants and amenities.

In Nelson, you don’t have to worry about finding parking, rushing through busy traffic, or driving a long distance. Serviced by the fourth busiest airport in New Zealand, Nelson offers business meeting venues which are very close to the main city centre, hotels, restaurants, and cafes, so your conference or meeting attendees will spend minimal time in transit, and more time engaging with the topic at hand!

A Nelson business meeting venue will make sure your colleagues, clients or audience are well rested, comfortable and giving you their full attention. Have a look around for a venue that meets your specific style, size and budget requirements, and you’re sure to find the perfect fit!

Are you new to business meetings online? If so, you need to get with the program! Holding business meetings online is becoming an accepted, even encouraged, practice in today’s enterprise. Hosting or attending business meetings online is an essential component of business communications.

Today’s online meetings are collaborative affairs. You can share applications and documents, send messages, and even work on the whiteboard. Online meetings are definitely revolutionizing the way people interact. No longer just a business tool, you’ll find religious groups, addiction support groups, and civic groups meeting online.

Several web sites have emerged that allow participants of online business meetings to exchange graphic files and images while eliminating the need for a video cam or web cam. An added bonus is there is no need for you and/or your meeting partners to download cumbersome software before the meeting.

Business meetings online, used appropriately, can save small business owners, and their clients, time and money. Note that I’m not advocating using an online meeting to cold-call or prospect with. First time meetings with potential clients are probably still best held face-to-face. But a follow-up meeting to answer questions? Definitely think about doing it online. Where a phone conference is a “tell” method of selling, the online meeting takes it to the “show-and-tell “method.

Other solid benefits of online business meetings are reduced expenses, higher productivity and increased time. These are mainly accomplished by eliminating travel time and expense. Rather than have the meeting attendees gather in one physical location, the World Wide Web is used to create a virtual meeting place that can be accessed with the proper login credentials.

Online meetings are a secure way to interact with your clients, business partners and team members. This makes them ideal for sales pitches, performance reporting or providing training for other members of your organization. Online meetings make audio communication possible by using VoIP (voice over IP) applications.

Online meetings are idea for organizing small impromptu meetings of fewer than 8 participants. This particularly benefits small businesses where interactions tend to be spur-of-the-moment and include fewer participants than in larger companies.